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hello stranger midwest adventure

  • How to Visit Olympic National Park (Budget Guide!)

    May 25, 2025

    The best things to do in Olympic National park if you only have a weekend: hiking, waterfalls, and places to eat

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  • 19 Things to Do in the San Juan Islands (by a kayak guide!)

    May 1, 2025

    Looking for the best things to do in the San Juan Islands? Here is a complete guide on what to do in Washington’s San Juan Islands

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  • image of mount baker and bellingham below viewed from orcas island in the san juan islands

    17 Epic Things to do on Orcas Island, Washington

    March 16, 2025

    the best things to do on Orcas Island in Washington including hiking, food, and more

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  • Ultimate 7-Day Washington Road Trip Guide

    January 12, 2025

    looking for the best one week road trip guide for washington state leaving from Seattle? From National Parks to whale watching, I’ve got you covered!

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  • PNW Adventure Packing List (By an Outdoor Guide!)

    June 13, 2024

    Looking for the ultimate packing list for your PNW outdoor adventure trip? I’ve got you covered; here’s everything you need to have a great PNW adventure!

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  • Ultimate San Juan Islands Packing List (2025!)

    April 15, 2024

    The ultimate San Juan Islands packing list: what to bring for your kayaking, whale watching, and hiking trip to the San Juan Islands

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  • Sea Kayakers on the Pacific Ocean in the San Juan Islands

    9 Best Kayaking Spots in the San Juan Islands

    August 1, 2022

    The best kayaking in the San Juan Islands to see orcas, camp, and for adventure!

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE exploring the Midwest eBooks ↓
hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟 hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟
Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupi Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a great spot for beginner friendly wilderness backpacking (think no cell service, but options for easier routes). Currently an area just outside the Porkies is the site of a proposed mine that could put the environment and Lake Superior’s waters at risk. Learn more and stay up to date on developments @protect_the_porkies 📍Traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤 1-7: I’ve logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤 1-7: I’ve worked this stretch of shoreline as a sea kayaking guide on and off since 2018. This summer will be my first in a while easing off guiding and into full time writing which is so wonderful!! I’m really looking forward to experiencing the islands and paddling as a paddler and someone who loves the outdoors, and not just as a guide working. There’s something really wonderful about doing things just for the joy of it, and I want that back. [new @aquabound tetra on my deck was gifted! As pretty as she looks on my deck, it’s a great paddle so more likely to end up in my hands!] 8- I’ve been getting back into running and it’s been hard. Rewarded myself with some shorts that don’t cut into my skin and some non-stained sports bras. (See previous post for a wholeeeee story on the running thing) 9-10: a walk in the woods 11- plant propagations 12- taking @paddlingmagazine out for a paddle :)
Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where a Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where are you headed this summer? 1- A lake up the Gunflint Trail 2- Stockton Island 3- the Porkies 4- Lovers Leap Arch 5- the North Shore 6- prep day 7- Palisade Head 8- my favorite island 9- the trail 10- Devils Island (actually isn’t my favorite!!) 11- Michigan moment 12- camped out 13- a small sea cave 📍traditional and cultural homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
Unconventional ways I’ve saved money🤷🏼‍♀️ Definetly these wouldn’t work for everyone, but this is how I got a start working as a freelance writer/photographer and outdoor influencer. Everyone’s path in creative fields always looks super different, but I think sometimes it can be helpful to hear what people did to get there. For me I think the biggest thing was when I realized I wanted to work as a writer, I just started writing and kept writing, and kept putting myself out there. Ultimately the best thing you can do is just start, and work with what you have in front of you.
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© 2025 Madeline Marquardt